• Cycling

Contador cleared over doping charges

ESPN staff
February 15, 2011
Alberto Contador was stripped of his 2010 Tour de France title © PA Photos
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Alberto Contador looks likely to defend his Tour of the Algarve title after the Spanish Cycling Federation overturned its decision to ban him for a year.

Contador received a provisional one-year suspension from cycling after testing positive for the banned steroid clenbuterol in July. The three-time Tour de France winner, who has always maintained his innocence, claimed he had inadvertently consumed the banned substance after eating a piece of contaminated meat during the Tour de France.

The Spanish Cycling Federation accepted Contador's explanation on Tuesday, although the UCI and World Anti-Doping Agency now have one month to decide whether or not to take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Contador's spokesman said in a statement: "Alberto Contador has been officially cleared by the Royal Spanish Cycling Federation and has been authorised to return to competition immediately. If everything goes well, the rider will take the start, tomorrow, at the Volta ao Algarve."

Contador, on his Saxo Bank-Sungard team's official website, said: "First of all, I'm relieved and obviously happy about this ruling. It has been some very stressful months for me, but throughout the case I have been totally available for all inquiries in relation to my case, and all the way through I have spoken in accordance with the truth.

"To both the team and the authorities I have explained, that I never cheated or deliberately took a banned substance."

Saxo Bank's Contador, who was stripped of his 2010 Tour title, will get back in the saddle on Wednesday in Portugal.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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